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Right now, you might be wondering "What can I do?" College students like you are already making a difference, and so can you! Get a first-hand look at how someone you know could end up in modern-day slavery with the Backstory.

Write about it. Free the Slaves has suggestions on ways that the pen can be mightier than you think, like contributing to your college newspaper or performing spoken word.

Host a viewing party for a documentary on human trafficking.

GEMS' film Very Young Girlsfollows teenage girls in New York City in their journey to exit the commercial sex industry.

Free the Slaves' film Dreams Die Hard profiles several people trapped in slavery across the US.

Call + Response is a documentary that explores slavery throughout the world, featuring performances by like Moby, Talib Kweli, Imogen Heap, and more.

Not My Life depicts slavery on five continents and includes survivor testimonials.

Dial Down Demand

Demand for goods and services produced by trafficking victims is what makes human trafficking a multi-billion dollar industry.

Ever hear a friend talk about going to the strip club or sorta-kinda-maybe-not joking about buying sex? Talk to them about the way they treat women and the realities of the sex industry. Not sure how to start the conversation? Check out these tips on how to talk to your friends about buying sex, respecting women, and the truth about pimping.

Visit the Free the Slaves Congo site, where you can use their online tool to learn if slave-tainted minerals are in your home or campus.

Choose one item that you use regularly and commit to purchasing it, whenever possible, as a fair trade product. Every little bit helps!

Work to dial down demand in your daily life by using Slavery Footprint, an online story-driven survey that helps you determine your contribution to forced labor — and then empowers you to do something about it. Take the survey and sign up with your school, and then download the app for iPhone and Android.

Advocate

Because human trafficking is a hidden problem, it's often not a legislative priority. Find out ways to get your representatives to take notice below.

Report It

If you suspect trafficking is happening in your community, the most effective way to make a difference is by reporting it to one of the below organizations. Remember: never personally intervene in a situation where you suspect trafficking is happening.

Submit a tip about a potential trafficking situation on Polaris Project's website, or by calling the 24/7 hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

If you believe a child is being exploited, report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline.